U.S. Arrests Former Ghana Microfinance Chief Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu Over Financial Crimes
U.S. Arrests Former Ghana Microfinance Chief Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu Over Financial Crimes
Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, who led Ghana’s MASLOC from 2013 to 2016, left the country after requesting court permission for a medical check-up abroad in 2019 and never returned to face trial, BBC Pidgin reports.
The United States authorities have arrested former Ghana Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) CEO Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu and ex-Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta over alleged financial crimes and immigration irregularities.
Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, who led Ghana’s MASLOC from 2013 to 2016, left the country after requesting court permission for a medical check-up abroad in 2019 and never returned to face trial, BBC Pidgin reports.
She and a deputy CEO were charged with causing financial loss to the state and embezzlement of public funds.
In a statement signed by Ghana’s ambassador to the US, Victor Smith, on January 15, 2026, her detention was confirmed.
“I can confirm that Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu has been arrested and is being held at the Nevada Southern Detention Center,” the statement said.
Ghana
Ambassador Smith added, “US Marshals detained her on 6 January 2026 while acting on an extradition request that Ghana sent to US authorities in July 2024.”
The statement noted that US authorities would soon present her before a court.
The arrests coincided with the detention of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta over immigration irregularities.
Local media network TV3 quoted ICE as saying, “Kenneth Ofori-Atta is an illegal alien from Ghana who faces corruption charges in his home country.”
“Mr Ofori-Atta entered the United States on 28 May 2025 with a visitor visa that expired on 27 November 2025. He overstayed his permitted period,” ICE clarified.
He was detained on January 6, 2026 at the Caroline Detention facility in Virginia.
Ofori-Atta faces 78 corruption and related charges in Ghana.
Lawyers for the former minister said, “His US legal team is in contact with ICE and expects to resolve the matter promptly.”
They further explained, “Mr Ofori-Atta has a pending petition for adjustment of status that would allow him to stay in the United States legally beyond the validity of his visa.”
Ghana’s Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, confirmed that his office formally submitted an extradition request for Ofori-Atta and his former chief of staff, Ernest Akore, on December 18, 2025.
“At this point, it is for US authorities, particularly the judicial authorities, to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to require that the two accused – the former Finance Minister and his chief of staff – be extradited to Ghana to stand trial.”
Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu was sentenced in absentia on April 16, 2024 to 10 years in jail with hard labour, while her chief operating officer Daniel Axim received five years. The High Court found them guilty on 78 counts, including embezzlement, money laundering, and causing financial loss to the state.
Prosecution alleged that the duo embezzled GHC 3.19 million ($295,000), causing a financial loss of GHC 1.97 million ($182,000), and made unauthorised commitments leading to obligations of GHC 61.4 million ($6 million) for the government. Additional charges included GHC 22.15 million ($2.1 million) in property loss, improper payments of GHC 274,000 ($26,000), and laundering of GHC 3.7 million ($342,000).
If the extradition proceeds, Tamakloe-Attionu will return to Ghana to serve her 10-year sentence or appeal it. Ghana first submitted her extradition request under the previous government in July 2024.
Current Attorney General Dr Dominic Ayine confirmed that the US authorities have informed Ghana, “They are following the extradition process to execute the request; they have confirmed to us that the fugitive will soon be extradited after all procedures are completed.”
Ambassador Victor Smith noted, “She is awaiting her court date following her arrest and detention on 6 January 2026,” though it remains unclear when she will return to Ghana.
